Most Versatile SA Caliber?This is a discussion on Most Versatile SA Caliber? within the Ruger Single Action forums, part of the Pistol & Revolver Forum category; In your opinion, what caliber is the most versatile in Single Action Revolvers? And why?...
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July 30th, 2012, 11:12 AM
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#1 |
Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Copperas Cove, Texas
Posts: 104
| Most Versatile SA Caliber?
In your opinion, what caliber is the most versatile in Single Action Revolvers? And why?
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July 30th, 2012, 11:31 AM
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#2 | | Previously Interested
Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Trapped in a horde of stupid people
Posts: 4,407
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I would think a .357. It can also shoot .38 special, and the +P .38s. There are lots of factory loads and bullet styles, even shot shells and blanks available.
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July 30th, 2012, 11:32 AM
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#3 |
Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Missouri
Posts: 918
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bearcatter  I would think a .357. It can also shoot .38 special, and the +P .38s. There are lots of factory loads and bullet styles, even shot shells and blanks available. | +1
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July 30th, 2012, 11:52 AM
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#4 |
Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,493
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bearcatter I would think a .357. It can also shoot .38 special, and the +P .38s. There are lots of factory loads and bullet styles, even shot shells and blanks available. | +2
The only possible second choice would be .44mag for the same reasons and the 32's for the same reasons. However, with the 38/357 combo you have a round that's almost always not too big or not too small.
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July 30th, 2012, 11:59 AM
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#5 |
Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: WV
Posts: 673
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If you reload chenges everything. I love the 45 colt.
But going back to the 38/357 dont forget the 9mm cylinder.
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July 30th, 2012, 12:05 PM
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#6 |
Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Glassport,Pa.
Posts: 181
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I believe if you reload it should be a .44 mag form critters to bears.
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July 30th, 2012, 12:13 PM
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#7 |
Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon
Posts: 806
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Originally Posted by Ruger4Life In your opinion, what caliber is the most versatile in Single Action Revolvers? And why? | My Blackhawk is in .44 Magnum caliber, but I think the most versatile caliber is probably .357 Magnum, for all the reasons listed above. No, it won't be enough to kill a charging Kodiak bear (for that matter, I'm not sure the .44 Magnum will do that), but it's powerful enough to kill everything up to black bears (with a little luck) and can be loaded with .38 Special (or .38 S&W, if you can find them) for recoil-sensitive uses.
You can reload almost any caliber to get a wide range of power, but I think the .357 Magnum is the only widely available SA revolver caliber where you can get the sort of range that you can buy "over the counter" in .38 Special and .357 Magnum.
Jim
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July 30th, 2012, 01:58 PM
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#8 |
Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northern California
Posts: 893
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I'd also say 357 unless you handload then I'd include 44mag & 45 Colt. I've loaded round balls all the way up to 300gr bullets in my 44 & shot loads. You could make some pretty good loads for the 45 also I just have'nt done it yet.
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July 30th, 2012, 03:31 PM
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#9 |
Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: TX
Posts: 2,648
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Originally Posted by Spike12 +2
The only possible second choice would be .44mag for the same reasons and the 32's for the same reasons. However, with the 38/357 combo you have a round that's almost always not too big or not too small. | +3
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July 30th, 2012, 04:04 PM
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#10 |
Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Woodville, TX
Posts: 37
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Originally Posted by bearcatter I would think a .357. It can also shoot .38 special, and the +P .38s. There are lots of factory loads and bullet styles, even shot shells and blanks available. | +4. I sure like mine.
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July 30th, 2012, 04:09 PM
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#11 |
Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: INDIANA
Posts: 1,454
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Originally Posted by bearcatter I would think a .357. It can also shoot .38 special, and the +P .38s. There are lots of factory loads and bullet styles, even shot shells and blanks available. | Yup...same for the GP100 and the SP101 as well!
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July 30th, 2012, 04:13 PM
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#12 |
Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: northern Wisconsin
Posts: 2,787
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For hunting, the big stuff is certainly a better choice than the 357, but for doing everything you might ask a revolver to do, from self-defense, to hunting, to target shooting, to just plinking, my vote is the 357, especially if you need to get your ammo off the store shelf.
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July 30th, 2012, 04:14 PM
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#13 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Maine
Posts: 4,412
| Quote: |
what caliber is the most versatile in Single Action Revolvers? And why?
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I'd go with .45 caliber. Allows one to load soft loads with light charges and light bullets for small game/varmints or up to heavy and hearty loads for the BIG stuff!
* Note that no cartridges were mentioned... it was asked for "caliber" - the bullet size.  .45 caliber certainly would include the meek 45Colt loads to the Heavy .454 loads.  | |
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July 30th, 2012, 04:20 PM
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#14 |
Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,586
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Good old .357 I would say. Large range in projectile weight and power. .44 would be nice too though
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July 30th, 2012, 05:20 PM
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#15 |
Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: wayne nj
Posts: 5,800
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If you reload 45 colt/acp if you do not 44 mag. 357 and 09 is close but I like the caliber in a revolver to start with 4 if things get wierd.
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